Here, apparently healthy cattle and sheep from eight claims in the three major vegetation zones of Nigeria were screened for the presence of specific neutralizing antibodies against Schmallenberg disease (SBV), Simbu disease (SIMV) and Shamonda disease (SHAV). Results Using a cross-sectional design, 490 cattle and 165 sheep sera were collected between 2012 and 2014 and tested by a commercial SBV ELISA kit which enables the detection of antibodies against various Simbu serogroup viruses. commercial SBV ELISA kit which enables the detection of antibodies against numerous Simbu serogroup viruses. The seropositivity rates for cattle and sheep were 91.2% and 65.4%, respectively. In cattle, there was no association between ELISA seropositivity and vegetation zone. However, the prevalence of anti-Simbu serogroup antibodies was significantly higher in Ebonyi State compared to additional claims in the rainforest vegetation zone. The seroprevalence was significantly higher in sheep from live animal markets compared to farms (OR?=?5.8). Screening of 20 selected ELISA-positive sera by serum neutralisation test showed that all were positive for one or more of SBV, SIMV and SHAV with the highest titres acquired for SHAV. Antibodies to SBV or a closely related disease were recognized in the Sudan savannah and rainforest zones, anti-SIMV antibodies?were detected only in the rainforest zone, while anti-SHAV antibodies were found in the three vegetation zones. Conclusion The findings of this study reveal that following a early isolation of Simbu serogroup viruses in Nigeria in the 1960s, users of this disease group are still circulating in the country. Specifically, SBV, SIMV and SHAV or closely related viruses infect cattle and sheep across the three vegetation zones of Nigeria suggesting that insect vector activity is definitely extensive in the country. The exact vegetation zone where the animals became exposed to the viruses could, however, not become identified with this study. Keywords: Schmallenberg disease, Simbu disease, Shamonda disease, Cattle, Sheep, ELISA, Neutralizing antibodies Background The order currently consists of more than 350 viruses that are distributed among 13 genera in nine family members, therefore making it one of the largest orders of RNA viruses. Of these genera, the genus (family biting midges, possess a tripartite RNA genome and share common genetic features but are serologically unrelated to viruses in additional AS601245 genera of the and many are pathogenic to humans AS601245 and animals [4, 5]. In particular, the Simbu serogroup comprises at least 25 viruses that are currently divided into seven varieties, namely: Akabane disease (AKAV), Manzanilla disease, Oropouche disease, Sathuperi disease (SATV), Shamonda disease (SHAV), Shuni disease (SHUV) and Simbu disease (SIMV) [1, 2]. Several of these Simbu serogroup viruses are known to be teratogenic in ruminants [6] causing abortions, stillbirths and congenital abnormalities. While some users such as SHAV, SHUV, Sabo, and Sango viruses are less regularly examined, AKAV, Aino disease (AINV) and Schmallenberg disease (SBV) are the most analyzed with this serogroup [7C10]. Disease isolation or serological methods have been used to detect Simbu serogroup viruses in domestic animals, wildlife, mosquitoes and AS601245 from Africa, Asia, Australia, and the Middle East [11C19]. Although different assays including serum neutralization test (SNT), immunofluorescence (IF) assay and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) have been utilized for the serologic detection of previous infections with these viruses [16, 20C22], specific detection of antibodies against them can be achieved by SNT [20]. Simbu serogroup viruses have been reported to cause severe economic deficits to the livestock market worldwide [23, 24]. However, info on their presence in Africa is still relatively scarce. In Nigeria, where the weather favours vector activity, early arboviral studies [7, 25] led to the isolation of Simbu serogroup viruses including SHAV, Sabo, Sango, SHUV and SATV viruses from cattle, goats and biting midges. However, for about five decades there has been no info within the prevalence, geographical distribution and reproductive effect of these viruses despite reports of abortions, stillbirths and congenital malformations in the countrys ruminant human population [26C28]. Recent studies based on commercial ELISAs to elucidate the part of Simbu serogroup viruses in the event of reproductive disorders and MCM7 congenital malformations among ruminants in Nigeria offered serologic evidence of AKAV, SBV or closely related viruses [19, 29]. However, because of the antigenic cross-reactivity that is present among Simbu serogroup viruses, the current study was conducted to investigate the presence of specific neutralizing antibodies against Schmallenberg, Simbu and Shamonda viruses in apparently healthy cattle and sheep from eight claims spread across the three major vegetation zones of Nigeria. Methods Study area This study was carried out as part of recent investigations to determine the contribution of Simbu serogroup viruses to instances of reproductive disorders and congenital malformations in the Nigerian ruminant human population. Cattle sera were collected from abattoirs, live animal markets, private/yard farms or Fulani pastoralist herds located in eight claims of Nigeria. These claims include Borno (Northeast) and Sokoto (Northwest) located in the Sudan savannah vegetation zone and sharing international AS601245 borders respectively with Chad and Niger Republic, two countries that are major suppliers of cattle to Nigeria. The additional claims, which serve as transit AS601245 or sales points for cattle and sheep.